India Wetlands: Safeguarding the Lifeblood of Our Ecosystem

Abstract

Wetlands are an important ecosystem on earth. From snow-capped peaks to sandy shores, India geographical tapestry, woven with countless rivers and streams, provides a fertile ground for an astounding array of inland and coastal wetlands. Theearly Indus valley civilization was also found near wetland areas. Wetlands are basically water based ecosystems at the interference between aquatic and terrestrial habitats and support a wide variety of plants and animal life. They can help us hold and provide most of our fresh water, regulate climate and most importantly they can guard us from floods and soil erosion . The idea of “wise use of wetlands” derived from an intergovernmental treaty on wetlands held in Ramsar, Iran 1971. Recently 11 more wetlands have got Ramsar recognition on 75 th year of Independence of our country 1 . Now we have 75 Ramsar wetland sites in India. Due to urbanization and industrialization half of wetlands found to be lost and the condition of remaining are declining at an alarming rate. As for India, the change of climate and growing water crisis has to do with poor maintenance of wetlands so it has become the main concern to bring a balanced ecosystem. In 2021, India set sail on a new course with the draft blue economy policy, charting a path for sustainable economic growth and healthy marine ecosystems. Various projects have been introduced by both the central and state government, NGOs and also by volunteers to preserve and restore the wetlands near them. This paper calls for the need of every individual cooperation in retaining the wetland resource near them with care for future generations.